The amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli has arrived in the Middle East, US Central Command has said, as speculation soars about the possible deployment of US ground troops in Iran.

The ship, which is usually based in Japan, arrived in the region on Friday local time, Centcom said in a post on X, noting that the vessel is the flagship for a contingent of “about 3500” Marines and sailors.

The group also includes “transport and strike fighter aircraft, as well as amphibious assault and tactical assets”, it said.

The post features four images, including one showing several Seahawk helicopters on the ship’s deck, as well as some Osprey aircraft, typically used for personnel transport.

Another picture shows an F-35 fighter jet.

The arrival of the Tripoli group comes after US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this week that Washington could achieve its objectives in Iran without deploying ground forces.

But US President Donald Trump has been vague on the issue for weeks, and several US media outlets have reported that he is mulling the idea of soon sending at least 10,000 more troops to the Middle East.

- Agence France-Presse